Featuring perhaps the greatest opening sentence in the modern history of the written word, Things We Do In The Dark is a brilliantly constructed thriller featuring murder, abuse, blackmail, and deception. Jennifer Hillier has delivered another fantastic and unputdownable novel filled with secrets, scheming, suspense and surprises.
Paris Peralta is in a lot of trouble. Her famous comedian husband is dead and she’s found covered in his blood holding a straight razor in the same room as the body. Arrested and charged with murder, you’d think that would be the worst thing she’s facing. But the thing is, Paris has a secret past she wants to keep hidden and the media attention threatens all she’s done to build a new life for herself. Meanwhile, Ruby Reyes is about to be paroled after spending 25-years in prison for murder and she knows exactly who Paris is and what she’s done in her past. So while Paris is facing murder charges and would love to keep past history dead and buried, she must face everything head on once and for all if she wants to remain free from prison…and her past.
This is a well-crafted thriller due to two reasons: storytelling and characters. The premise might not be super original – someone running from their past hopes it won’t catch up to them when something bad happens in the new life they’ve created – but the flow, the flashbacks, the emotions it elicits and the slow drip of information are done in a perfect and precise manner to keep you suspicious of multiple characters and their motivations. And these characters…whoa baby. They’re all flawed individuals with remarkable backstories, some of which will hit you in the feels. They’ve been tested and have experienced personal pain yet hold out hope for the better life they seek and feel they deserve. And that “better life” isn’t clean and pure in everyone’s case. Which means you’ll support some characters while hoping others go to hell in a handcart. Especially Ruby. She’s a first-class grade A narcissistic bitch who deserves a one-way express ticket to hell. But holy crap is she a fantastically conceived character in a book filled with complex, well-structured individuals.
Jennifer Hillier proves again that she is one hell of a thriller author and that readers should have her on “automatic read” status anytime she releases a new book. So make sure Things We Do In The Dark is on your TBR list and preorder a copy from your favorite bookstore. It’s most excellent and not to be missed.
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Purchase Things We Do In The Dark
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Barrington Books
Chapter 2 Books
Murder By The Book
Once Upon A Crime
The Book Dragon
The Poisoned Pen
